Digital X-Ray

Digital Dental X-Rays: Safe, Modern, and Essential

At our office, we use digital X-rays—a safe, modern way to take pictures of your child’s teeth. Instead of using old-fashioned film, we use a special electronic sensor that quickly captures detailed images and shows them right on our computer screen. It’s fast, comfortable, and helps us take the best care of your child’s smile.

Why digital X-rays are great for kids:

Up to 90% less radiation than traditional X-rays
Quick and easy—just a few seconds and it’s done!
Clear images that help us spot problems early

Why does my child need X-rays?

Even the best visual exam can't show everything happening in your child's mouth. Digital x-rays help us find hidden dental issues early--before they cause pain or bigger problems.

They can help us detect:

Cavities between teeth
Infections, cysts, or growths
Bone loss or gum issues
Tooth and root positioning
Problems below the surface of the gums
How teeth are developing and growing

Catching problems early means we can fix them quickly, comfortably, and often avoid more serious treatments down the road.

Our team makes the experience gentle, safe, and stress-free—so your child stays smiling from start to finish!

Learn more about our advanced digital X-Rays for comprehensive care!

Panoramic X-ray

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CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography)

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Digital X-ray FAQ

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) approves their use for children, ensuring minimal and safe exposure.

While we aim to limit X-rays, they are necessary for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. The technology we use today is very safe, with much lower radiation exposure than in the past. In fact, the amount of radiation from a dental X-rays is minimal - much less than the natural radiation we're exposed to every day from things like the sun, air travel, and the foods we eat. To put it in perspective, the radiation from a dental X-ray is about 20 times less than what you would receive from eating a single banana!

We also follow safety precautions to lower the exposure:

Lead apron to protect the body
Shields for non-X-rayed face parts
High-speed film to reduce radiation

If you have questions or concerns about dental radiographs or X-rays, please contact your dentist.

The need for dental X-rays is based on each child’s individual oral health needs. Our dentists carefully consider your child’s age, medical and dental history, risk of cavities, and any signs or symptoms before recommending X-rays.

For new patients, a full set of dental X-rays is typically recommended to establish a baseline. This full series is generally valid for three to five years. At regular check-up visits, bitewing X-rays—which show the top and bottom teeth biting together—are taken once or twice a year to catch new cavities and monitor dental development. The frequency of these X-rays depends on your child’s risk level:

High-risk children may need X-rays every 6 months.
Low to moderate-risk children may only need them every 12–24 months.
Injury or dental trauma may require immediate X-rays to assess hidden damage.

Digital X-rays are a vital tool in diagnosing and monitoring your child’s oral health. They help us detect cavities that can’t be seen during a visual exam—often while they’re still small and easier to treat. X-rays also let us assess how deep a cavity is, spot missing or extra teeth, and track the growth and shedding of baby teeth to ensure healthy development.

In some cases, we may need to take special X-rays—such as panoramic images or CBCT (cone beam CT) scans—for a more complete view of your child’s teeth, jaws, and facial structure. These are typically used when additional diagnostic detail is needed for orthodontic evaluation, surgical planning, or to assess complex conditions that aren’t fully visible in standard X-rays.

While we always strive to minimize exposure, digital X-rays use very low radiation and are an essential part of creating safe, effective treatment plans tailored to your child.

The age at which dental radiographs (X-rays) are first taken can vary depending on your child’s needs and oral health.

Here's a general guide:

First X-Rays: Around Age 3

Usually, the first set of X-rays is taken around age 3. These are typically simple images of the upper and lower front teeth. They help familiarize your child with the process and build confidence in the dental chair.

When Back Teeth Touch

Once the baby molars in the back are touching one another, we usually recommend regular X-rays at least once a year. These are typically bitewing X-rays, which allow us to spot cavities between teeth that we can't see during a visual exam.

Permanent Teeth Erupting: Around Age 6–12

As your child begins to lose baby teeth and get permanent ones, more comprehensive X-rays (like panoramic or periapical) may be needed to:

Monitor tooth eruption
Check jaw and bite development
Spot any orthodontic concerns early

Higher Risk? We Start Earlier

If your child is at high risk for dental problems—such as a history of cavities, signs of enamel defects, or poor oral hygiene—we may recommend starting X-rays earlier or taking them more frequently (every 6–12 months).

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Digital X-Ray

Digital Dental X-Rays: Safe, Modern, and Essential

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Learn more about our advanced digital X-Rays for comprehensive care!

Digital X-ray FAQ

We also follow safety precautions to lower the exposure:

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